Electrically heated particulate filter with zoned exhaust flow control

Abstract

A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes X zones. An electrical heater includes Y heater segments that are associated with respective ones of the X zones. The electrical heater is arranged upstream from and proximate with the PM filter. A valve assembly includes Z sections that are associated with respective ones of the X zones. A control module adjusts flow through each of the Z sections during regeneration of the PM filter via control of the valve assembly. X, Y and Z are integers.

1. A system comprising:
 a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes X zones, where X is an integer; 
 an electrical heater that includes Y heater segments associated with respective ones of the X zones, where Y is an integer, 
 wherein the electrical heater is arranged upstream from and proximate with the PM filter; 
 a valve assembly comprising
 Z sections associated with respective ones of the X zones, where Z is an integer, 
 a first set of louvers that correspond with a first one of the Z sections, and 
 a second set of louvers that correspond with a second one of the Z sections; and 
 
 a control module that adjusts flow through each of the Z sections during regeneration of the PM filter via control of the valve assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the valve assembly includes a plurality of louvers associated with each of the Z sections; 
 the plurality of louvers comprise the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers; and 
 the control module adjusts exhaust flow through a selected one of the Z sections by actuation of respective ones of the louvers that correspond with the selected one of the Z sections. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the control module opens the first set of louvers during a first period, and then opens the second set of louvers and closes the first set of louvers for a second period. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises:
 a plurality of louvers including the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers; 
 a first set of magnets; and 
 a second set of magnets, 
 wherein at least one of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets is energized to close the plurality of louvers and at least one of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets are energized to open the plurality of louvers. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises:
 a plurality of louvers including the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers; 
 a first set of magnets; and 
 a second set of magnets, 
 wherein at least one of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets are deenergized to close the plurality of louvers and at least one of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets are deenergized to open the plurality of louvers. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises a plurality of louvers including the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers,
 wherein the plurality of louvers when in an open state permit unrestricted passage of exhaust, and 
 wherein the plurality of louvers when in a closed state restrict and permit passage of exhaust. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a power supply; and 
 magnetic drivers, 
 wherein the valve assembly includes N louvers and M magnets that correspond with each of the Z sections, wherein the N louvers include the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers, and where N and M are each integers greater than 1, and 
 wherein the control module activates selected ones of the M magnets to adjust positions of selected ones of the N louvers that correspond with a selected one of the Z sections by permitting passage of power from the power supply to the magnetic drivers associated with the selected ones of the M magnets. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises louvers that reflect radiant heat energy. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  wherein the valve assembly comprises a plurality of louvers that each have N positions, wherein the plurality of louvers include the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers, and where N is an integer greater than 2, and
 wherein the control module selectively arranges the plurality of louvers in one of the N positions. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein the control module adjusts exhaust flow through each of the Z sections based on soot loading of the PM filter. 
     
     
       11. A method comprising:
 providing a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes X zones, where X is an integer; 
 providing an electrical heater that includes Y heater segments associated with respective ones of the X zones, where Y is an integer, 
 wherein the electrical heater is arranged upstream from and proximate with the PM filter; 
 providing a valve assembly comprising louvers; and 
 energizing M magnets to one of close and open the louvers to restrict exhaust flow through a selected one of the X zones during regeneration of the PM filter, where M is an integer greater than 1. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 energizing a first set of the magnets to close the louvers; and 
 energizing a second set of the magnets to open the louvers. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 the valve assembly includes Z sections associated with respective ones of the X zones; and 
 the method further comprises energizing the M magnets to one of close and open the louvers to restrict exhaust flow through one of the Z sections corresponding to the selected one of the X zones. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  comprising adjusting exhaust flow through a selected one of the Z sections by actuation of respective ones of the louvers that correspond with the selected one of the Z sections. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  comprising:
 opening a first set of louvers of the valve assembly during a first period, and then 
 opening a second set of louvers of the valve assembly and closing the first set of louvers for a second period. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  further comprising energizing a first set of the M magnets to close the louvers of the valve assembly and energizing a second set of the M magnets to open the louvers. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13  further comprising deenergizing a first set of the M magnets to close the louvers of the valve assembly and deenergizing a second set of the M magnets to open the louvers. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 providing a power supply; 
 providing magnetic drivers; and 
 activating selected ones of the M magnets of the valve assembly to adjust positions of selected ones of the louvers of the valve assembly that correspond with a selected one of the Z sections by permitting passage of power from the power supply to the magnetic drivers associated with the selected ones of the M magnets. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 13  further comprising selectively arranging each of the louvers of the valve assembly in one of M positions, where M is an integer greater than 2. 
     
     
       20. A system comprising:
 a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes X zones, where X is an integer; 
 a valve assembly comprising
 Z sections, wherein each of the Z sections corresponds to respective ones of the X zones, where Z is an integer, 
 a first set of louvers that correspond with a first one of the Z sections, 
 a second set of louvers that correspond with a second one of the Z sections, and 
 magnets configured to open and close the first set of louvers and the second set of louvers; and 
 
 a control module that at least one of energizes and deenergizes the magnets to adjust exhaust flow through each of the Z sections during regeneration of the PM filter.